1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm | Poco F4 is significantly thinner (2mm) and slightly shorter, making it more pocketable and potentially more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 212g | 195g | Poco F4 is lighter (17g), reducing strain during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Poco F4 offers a slightly larger viewing area, enhancing media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Poco F4 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 395 ppi | Poco F4 provides a crisper and more detailed visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Poco F4’s AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. It's also more power-efficient for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4 provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Poco F4's significantly higher brightness makes it much more usable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Poco F4's chipset offers drastically superior performance for demanding tasks and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 861,200 | Poco F4 delivers vastly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and greatly improved gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 650 | Poco F4’s GPU provides far better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gaming and better visual fidelity. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 64MP | Poco F4 captures more detailed photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.79 | Poco F4's wider aperture allows more light, which results in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 20MP | Poco F4's selfie camera captures significantly more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | Galaxy M12's slightly wider aperture may result in marginally better low-light selfie performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | 8MP | Poco F4 captures more detail in wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP | None | Galaxy M12 offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both phones have comparable macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Poco F4 provides significantly higher video recording quality and supports more framerates and stabilization. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (OIS) | Poco F4 offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for smoother video capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Galaxy M12 has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 67W | Poco F4 charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Poco F4 has a newer Android version and longer update support, meaning more features, security, and longevity. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Poco F4 supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster speeds and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Poco F4 offers a newer Bluetooth version with better power efficiency and connection speeds. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage Options | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Poco F4 has larger base storage and doubles the maximum available storage. |
| RAM Options | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Poco F4 offers higher RAM options, resulting in better performance with demanding apps and multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco F4 offers a significantly better audio experience with immersive, high-quality playback. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer a similar side-mounted fingerprint sensor for basic security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F4 has better scratch and impact protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: The slightly larger 5000 mAh battery may offer more usage time between charges for basic tasks.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: It has a dedicated depth sensor for potentially better portrait mode photos.
- Lower Entry Price: It is likely the cheaper option of the two.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset is significantly more powerful, offering a vastly smoother and faster experience across all tasks.
- Much Better Display: The AMOLED panel with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness provides a far superior viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Faster Charging: The 67W charging drastically reduces downtime compared to the Galaxy M12's 15W charging.
- Better Camera System: It has higher-resolution cameras, better low-light performance, and optical image stabilization for videos.
- More Future-Proof: Newer OS, chipset, and connectivity options make it a more future-proof device.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio offer a much better audio experience
- Larger storage and RAM options: Provides more options and better multitasking.
- Better build quality: Gorilla Glass 5 protection offers better scratch and impact resistance.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Galaxy M12: The significant trade-off is dramatically lower performance, a much lower quality display, and slower charging speed for a potentially lower entry price and slightly better battery life.
- Poco F4: The main trade-off is slightly shorter battery life, but the 67W fast charging makes up for it. It also lacks a depth sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a basic smartphone at a lower price.
- Light Smartphone Users: People who mainly browse the web, use messaging apps, and make calls.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who want a device that can last longer on a single charge for basic tasks and don't need high performance.
Specific Use Cases for Galaxy M12:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Casual photography in good lighting conditions.
- Long battery life for day-to-day usage without demanding tasks.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Those seeking a phone that can handle heavy multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who value a high-quality display for streaming videos, playing games, and viewing content.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Users who want to minimize charging times and get back to using their phone quickly.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who want a better camera system with higher-resolution video capture.
- Users Who Value Future-Proofing: Users who want a phone with newer technology and longer software support.
Specific Use Cases for Poco F4:
- Demanding mobile gaming with smooth graphics and performance.
- High-quality video streaming and content creation.
- Photography and videography with better low-light capabilities and image stabilization.
- Heavy multitasking and running demanding apps without lag.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Galaxy M12: Offers basic functionality at a lower price, which may be suitable for very budget-conscious users.
- Poco F4: Delivers substantially better performance, display quality, and features for a higher price. However, the vast performance difference and features makes it a far better price to value option.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If cost is the primary concern, the Galaxy M12 might be a choice. However, the Poco F4's additional features and performance are significant.
- How do you use your smartphone? If it is primarily for basic tasks, Galaxy M12 might suffice. If you game, watch videos, or use demanding apps, the Poco F4 is a much better option.
- What are your priorities? If you prioritize battery life and are ok with slower performance, the Galaxy M12 may be adequate. If you want the best experience, the Poco F4 is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is extremely tight, and you mostly use your phone for calling, texting and light web browsing: The Samsung Galaxy M12 might be acceptable, but expect a basic experience.
- Scenario 2: You want a good experience for social media, photos, and want smooth performance for general use: The Xiaomi Poco F4 provides better value due to its superior display, performance, and features.
- Scenario 3: You are a gamer or heavy app user: The Xiaomi Poco F4 is the far superior choice for its high performance and better display.
- Scenario 4: You value high quality media consumption and/or content creation: The Xiaomi Poco F4 is the only suitable choice with its significantly better audio, video and display quality.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would absolutely pick the Xiaomi Poco F4. The difference in performance, display quality, and overall experience is night and day. While the Galaxy M12 has a slightly larger battery, the Poco F4's 67W fast charging more than compensates for the slightly smaller battery capacity. For any user who wants a decent experience and a phone that doesn't feel sluggish or outdated, the Poco F4 is clearly the better choice. The massive difference in performance and display quality more than justifies the higher price, which I see as a worthwhile investment for a much better overall smartphone. The Galaxy M12 feels like a very basic phone whereas the Poco F4 offers a premium and smooth experience.
